The proposed development lies inbetween the High Street and Marketfield Way (Image: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council)

Jonathan Essex, councillor for Redhill East, said: “I think it's good that we're looking to improve what is offered in the centre of Redhill, I just want an assurance that the shops will include space for local and independent stores to flourish, rather than just big brands.

“There's an opportunity for people who live locally to be able to go to a multi-screen cinema, rather than go to Crawley or Croydon [to visit one].

“It makes sense for Redhill to be a destination not just in the day but in the evening.

“But we need to make sure the council's own cinema in The Harlequin Theatre is not affected. The discussion I have heard is that it could become more of an arts cinema, but we need to ensure it's still part of the story.”

A total of 153 flats are in the pipeline, comprising of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes for private rent.

Designs for the proposed development in Marketfield Way, Redhill (Image: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council)

The site lies in-between the High Street to the west and Station Road to the north, and is accessed via Marketfield Way and Marketfield Road.

The apartments could reach a height of 13 storeys, which would make the building Redhill's tallest landmark, overtaking Kingsgate House.

Other buildings in the project, which would sit opposite the main entrance to the Belfry Shopping Centre, range between five and 10 storeys.

“Now that the planning application has been submitted, it would be really good to see what the public think about it,” said Mr Essex.

“[My concern is that] there's no affordable housing at all. The council has got an affordable housing target for all developments, and the only way they can get out of providing it is through a viability test, if they wouldn't make 20% profit.

“I don't think it's appropriate for the council to say they won't make a profit. They should be leading the way on affordable housing and making an example that it is possible."

Designs for the proposed development in Marketfield Way, Redhill (Image: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council)

He added: “How can the council credibly challenge developers about affordable housing when they don't make it themselves?"

“It would be ironic if these new facilities create additional jobs but the people who work there can't afford to live in the development because there's no affordable housing.”

The council has said the development “will ensure that Redhill is able to compete with neighbouring towns” such as Reigate, Epsom and Guildford.

Basement car parking could also be built for new residents, in what has been considered one of the most controversial aspects of the proposed scheme.

The plans state the car park would provide only 47 spaces for vehicles, but 153 storage spaces for pushbikes.

Mr Essex likened the development's proposed facilities to the nearby Nobel House, which has a high number of flats to parking spaces.

Designs for the proposed thirteen-storey building in Marketfield Way (Image: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council)

“They are occupied on the basis that it's enough, so I think it should be OK,” he said. “The only concern I have for parking is that Marketfield Way car park is the nearest to the town centre.

“If you have a disability, it's a very convenient location to the town centre, so we need to make sure we don't lose something in terms of access when moving car parks away.

“We need to move these disabled car parking spaces elsewhere.”

A new pedestrian route connecting the High Street to Marketfield Way has also been proposed.

The scheme comes after part of the town centre's one-way road system was converted to two-way running in a £4 million highways project by Surrey County Council last year.

The plans are likely to be considered by the council's planning committee later in the summer.

The plans include a total of 153 flats, comprising of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes (Image: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council)

If planning permission is granted, construction could start as early as 2017, with an expected 2019 completion date.